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China Accuses US of Pushing Middle East Towards "Dangerous Cliff" at UN
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

China Accuses US of Pushing Middle East Towards "Dangerous Cliff" at UN

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • China's representative at the UN Security Council accused the United States of pushing the Middle East towards a "dangerous cliff" with its actions, particularly regarding Iran.
  • The U.S. ambassador to the UN countered by accusing China of violating arms embargoes against Yemen's Houthi rebels.
  • The exchange occurred during a Security Council discussion on the Houthi situation, with China urging the U.S. to reflect on its own actions instead of blaming others.

China has sharply criticized the United States at the United Nations, accusing Washington of driving the Middle East towards a "dangerous cliff" through its military actions, particularly concerning Iran. The accusation came during a UN Security Council session focused on the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The U.S. bears an undeniable responsibility for the current situation in Yemen and the Red Sea.

— Sun LeiChina's deputy permanent representative to the UN, addressing the Security Council.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, stated that the U.S. bears "undeniable responsibility" for the current situation in Yemen and the Red Sea. He further accused Washington of obstructing the Council's efforts to end hostilities, protect the population of Gaza, and prevent escalating tensions in the region. Sun Lei specifically pointed to U.S. military strikes against Iran, conducted without Security Council authorization and amidst ongoing negotiations, as a move that pushed the region closer to the brink.

States like Iran and, to some extent, Chinese companies and entities, have violated Resolution 2216 without any real consequences.

— Mike WalshU.S. Ambassador to the UN, accusing China and Iran of violating arms embargoes.

This confrontation followed remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Walsh, who had accused China of violating the arms embargo imposed on the Houthis. Walsh cited Iran and, to some extent, Chinese businesses and entities, as parties that have breached Security Council Resolution 2216 without facing consequences. This resolution, adopted in 2015, calls for the Houthis to cease hostilities, withdraw from occupied territories, and imposes a targeted arms embargo along with individual sanctions.

Without the authorization of the Security Council and while negotiations were underway between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran, once again pushing the region towards a dangerous cliff.

— Sun LeiCriticizing U.S. military actions against Iran during a UN Security Council meeting.

In response to the U.S. accusations, Sun Lei urged the United States to "reflect on its own actions" rather than attempting to "slander other countries and shift blame." The heated exchange highlights the deep divisions and geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflicts and security issues in the Middle East.

reflect on its own actions, instead of trying to slander other countries and shift the blame to them.

— Sun LeiUrging the United States to self-examine its conduct during the UN Security Council discussion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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